Regis Highlander 10/7/25 Regis Highlander 10/7/25

Vaccine Requirements at Regis University

Charlie Means, Staff Writer

Regis has partnered with Tepeyac Community Health Center to provide free vaccines for all students at Regis, allowing students to protect themselves against a host of illnesses. However, the federal government has recently been steadily working to make it harder to obtain vaccines. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released the new Covid vaccine, but only made it accessible to people 65 or older, or to those that have pre-existing health problems. This is a drastic shift from the previous administration, which made the vaccine available to everyone. This reduction of vaccine accessibility is beginning to influence individual states throughout the country. For example, the state of Florida is moving to end all vaccine mandates. This sort of attitude towards vaccines can make it harder for populations to gain herd immunity to diseases and could see certain diseases and illnesses develop mutations that make vaccines less effective.

Charlie Means, Staff Writer

Stephanie James is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Regis, and helped run the vaccine program on campus. Dr. James said that the number of students that have gotten vaccines have gone down since the pandemic ended. This can be attributed to our increased distance from the height of the pandemic, and the former abundance of vaccine clinics and appointment availability. However, I think that numbers are also going down this year due to actions by the federal government. Again, this part is purely speculative, but I do think that there is a chance it might play a part in numbers going down.

Another reason that vaccine participation has gone down over the years is the rise in vaccine skepticism, which I understand. Having someone stick a needle in you and put something in your body that you might not know a lot about can be frightening. But, I do think that a big reason that vaccine skepticism is on the rise is the amount of misinformation that is easily accessible. With this convenient, never-ending source of information, people not only become skeptical of vaccines in their own systems, but also begin to not want them on the market at all, making a bigger impact than if it was just their personal choice.

Dr. James told me that the rise in skepticism and misinformation is a big concern within the scientific community at the moment. Dr. James talked about how a potential solution would be to implement more exercises in schools, even at the middle school level, about teaching students how to evaluate if a source is credible and teaching young students how to find evidence based data. I think this is a fantastic idea as it would allow people to continue to make their own choices, while also providing them with the tools to make the best possible choices for them, be it getting vaccinated or not.

To wrap things up, if you are interested in getting vaccinated, or if you want to find out more about vaccines, here is a list of resources I’d recommend:

Regis Highlander 9/4/25 Regis Highlander 9/4/25

How to Survive College Application Season

Amber Ramsey, Guest Writer

The college application process can feel like trying to juggle flaming swords—while blindfolded—on a moving train. There’s pressure to perform, deadlines colliding like bumper cars, and a thousand moving parts that refuse to align. But you don’t have to be swallowed by the chaos. With a little structure, a few smart habits, and a deeper trust in your own rhythm, you can turn this monster into something manageable, even meaningful. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about building a system that lets you breathe, think, and still enjoy your senior year. Here’s how to stay grounded, organized, and keep your stress level from detonating.

Amber Ramsey, Guest Writer

Start With a Digital Nest That Works

You don’t need fancy software or a six-tab Trello board to keep your documents straight. What you do need is a structure that mirrors how your brain works. Take 10 minutes and create a few folders—one for each school—and inside them, stash subfolders for essays, transcripts, resumes, and recommendations. That’s the external skeleton. But don’t stop there. To avoid chaos later, organize all your files clearly and label things in a way your future self can decode. You’re not just filing documents, you’re building a navigable map for every application you submit.

Tackle the Big Items First

The worst kind of stress is deadline stress. So, start stacking wins early. Get your letters of recommendation locked in the moment your teachers are available to help. Knock out your personal statement rough draft before midterms start eating up your weekends. And get those transcript requests submitted before winter break drama kicks in. It sounds simple, but it changes everything. If you request recommendation letters early, you not only give teachers the time they need, you also prevent the cascading delays that tend to hit all at once.

Visual Systems Beat Mental Notes Every Time

Color-coding isn’t just for planners and perfectionists. It’s a survival tool. Build a spreadsheet that tracks every school’s deadline, required documents, essay questions, and submission platforms. Use colors to flag missing pieces or urgent dates. The goal isn’t aesthetics, it’s visual friction. You want to glance at the tracker and immediately know what needs doing. One way to make that real is to build a college tracking spreadsheet that lets you stop guessing and start seeing. Every red cell is a call to action. Every green cell is peace of mind.

Make Your List Work for You, Not Against You

Here’s where things go sideways: Some students apply only to their dream schools, leaving no margin for disappointment, while others play it too safe and miss out on opportunities. Both approaches create unnecessary pressure. A well-balanced list offers room to breathe and pivots your mindset from desperation to agency. It’s about building optionality, knowing you’ve set yourself up with viable outcomes across the spectrum. The key is to build that mix in a way that reflects your energy and risks your comfort, not someone else’s template. That alone can soften the emotional turbulence when results start landing.

Let People In, Even When You Want to Shut Them Out

The college application process is one that messes with your head. One minute you’re pumped. The next, you’re doomscrolling Reddit threads about acceptance rates and crying into your hoodie. You’re not supposed to carry that alone. Set up a system where you can check in with someone. This someone could be a parent, counselor, or friend. When you’re drowning in anxiety, create a supportive space to share and let someone else hold the tension with you. Not everything has to be solved. Some things just need to be said out loud.

Small Rituals Keep the Bigger You Intact

If you’re waiting for a weekend with “no distractions” to reset your brain, forget it. What you need are micro-habits that you can slip into your normal day. Take two minutes to breathe with your eyes closed before starting an essay. Go outside for five minutes after submitting a form. The goal isn’t deep zen, it’s traction. These pauses help your brain reboot. By using simple mindfulness moments, the tension doesn’t get to build unchecked. You stay human, not mechanical. And a human is exactly what you need to be to write a killer essay and complete a successful application.

Consider Options That Let You Breathe Easier

Not every great college path involves packing up and moving across the country. For some students, the pressure eases the moment they realize they have flexible, accredited options online. There’s less overhead, less relocation drama, and often more control over your schedule. Those kinds of choices lower the emotional stakes, and makes space for other priorities, like work, caregiving, or creative pursuits. For instance, if you want to work in tech, there are technology‑focused tracks such as computer science that let you build skills in programming, IT, and software development from wherever you are. No matter what track you want, the freedom of an online program changes the whole equation.

The bottom line is you’re not behind, you’re not doing it wrong and this process isn’t a test of who has it all figured out. Rather, it’s a practice in navigating uncertainty. The more you name your stress, the less it owns you. The more you organize, the more space you have for inspiration. And the more you let people in, the more real support you’ll get. College will come. But right now, you get to write the story of how you handled the application season. And if you do it your way, with rhythm, clarity, and a few good breaths, you’ll be just fine.

Regis Highlander 7/17/25 Regis Highlander 7/17/25

Pizza Picnic on the Quad

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

Earlier this season, Regis University and Brooklyn’s Finest Pizza combined to provide a pizza picnic on the quad. This picnic was open to all members of campus and was a delicious treat, complete with a sunny sky and warm temperatures.

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

Students pick their pieces of pizza to enjoy. *Photo by James Ortiz*

The Regis community brings blankets to enjoy the summer sun while they eat. *Photo by James Ortiz*

Students enjoy a tasty treat. *Photo by James Ortiz*

Regis Highlander 5/2/25 Regis Highlander 5/2/25

Destino, A New Organization Coming to Regis

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager

Destino is a national Latino, non-denominational Christian organization that is a part of a larger national ministry known as Cru. As a campus ministry, Destino connects with college students to build community around a shared faith in God. While Destino is rooted in Hispanic identity and culture, it is open to people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and denominations and has a heart to help people learn about Christ and grow in their spiritual journey.

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager

I had the opportunity to attend Destino’s annual conference this past January, and it was an incredible experience. I connected with many amazing people as we came together in a shared space to worship Christ. The conference was filled with fun, joy, meaningful learning, and—above all—God’s love. I truly enjoyed every moment and am already looking forward to going again next year!

Destino’s Mission and Values

Destino’s mission is to journey with students, faculty, and their communities to follow Jesus and fulfill their God-given destiny. Destino seeks to be a compassionate community committed to being: Culturally Connected, Academically Achieving, Financially Responsible, and Empowered Spiritually. These are known as Destino’s “C.A.F.E.” values.

Destino Nationwide

Currently, Destino is active on 40 college campuses across the U.S., including the Community College of Denver and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Excitingly, Destino is now in the process of becoming an official organization here at Regis University!

Destino’s Purpose at Regis

At Regis, Destino seeks to build a welcoming community grounded in fellowship, unity, diversity, and the love of God. This vision will come to life through weekly or monthly gatherings, Bible studies, retreats, conferences, and fun, food-filled events.

Destino’s ministry focuses on empowering student leaders, strengthening faith, celebrating cultural identity, and guiding others toward their God-given "Destino"—destiny.

Whether or not you identify as Hispanic, Destino could be the right space for you to grow spiritually and find community.

Destino is set to launch at Regis in Fall 2025. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for announcements and join the journey through Destino’s Instagram: @destinodenver. For more information, visit Destino.org.

Regis Highlander 4/28/25 Regis Highlander 4/28/25

Casino Night Serves as a Featured Event for Ranger Week

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

Regis University’s signature end of semester celebration, Ranger Week, spanned throughout the second week of April, 2025. On April 8th, in the Student Center Walker’s Pub, Casino Night, a fan favorite, took place. The event was one of competition, laughter, bonding, and excitement. It gave students a well-deserved break from the chaos of upcoming finals and the overall stress of life. Students enjoyed games including poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette, all of which were accompanied by amazing prizes.

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

Casino Night starts off strong with a game of Poker. *Photo by James Ortiz*

Cards are dealt and players are ready. *Photo by James Ortiz*

Friendly competition is essential to game night. *Photo by James Ortiz*

More games are set up, drawing a bigger crowd. *Photo by James Ortiz*

Regis Highlander 4/25/25 Regis Highlander 4/25/25

Accessibility Day Celebrates Disability Pride and Promotes Awareness

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

On April 9th, 2025, Regis University hosted Accessibility Day with games, prizes, and food trucks. Festivities took place on the Quad, and served as a way to celebrate diversity pride, and to promote awareness. The event taught skills and resources to make the world more accessible to all. It was organized and sponsored by Student Disability Services, Community for Belonging, RU Student Government Association and GLOBAL Inclusive Program.